All around the state, you’ll find the sun shining down on new solar projects. That includes projects done by a new company called Litty Solar.

“Solar is growing,” said Nestor Gomez Jimenez, CEO of Litty Solar. “More people are becoming aware and the benefits. It’s becoming less expensive every day.”

Gomez Jimenez helped start the company last year. The Armstrong High School and North Hennepin Community College grad has been busy ever since.

“I can count the number of days that I’ve taken a day off,” he said. “We want to be a catalyst for this industry.”

Litty Solar focuses on homes and small businesses. It’s the first company in the state to install solar shingles, which Gomez Jimenez says provides about the same electrical efficiency as solar panels.

“Solar shingles are integrated within the building. You’re not going to put any regular asphalt shingles underneath the solar shingles,” said Gomez Jimenez.

Work Grows as Solar Grows

Litty Solar’s projects are roughly split between shingles and panels. The company did six installs its first year. It expects to double that by the end of this year. The company’s goal is to make solar more available to everyone.

“We want to essentially make solar energy equitable. Right now, it’s not reachable for many consumers right now,” Gomez Jimenez said. “And that’s what we want to change. That’s what drives us.”

So far, Litty Solar’s projects have been $15,000 and up. But unlike traditional asphalt shingles, solar projects will pay you back.

“After eight to nine years of that payback period, you’re going to have another 20 years of essentially free electricity. So the economics make sense. Right now there’s a lot of upfront costs associated with that. But due to financing, it’s becoming easier for people to get a solar system,” Gomez Jimenez said.

Homeowners can still get a 30 percent tax credit for solar system installs in 2019. Gomez Jimenez believes the cost will continue to come down as new products and new solutions come to market.

“We want to make solar mainstream. We want to enable you to start generating your own electricity. We want you to become independent.”

Litty Solar has a team of five employees and hopes to add one or two more people in the near future. According to The Solar Foundation, solar installer is expected to be the fastest growing occupation in the U.S. through the year 2026.

CCX Media is a service of Northwest Community Television serving the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota, including Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth and Robbinsdale.